Diagnostic evaluation of an ultrathin 15,000 fiberoptic arthroscope: Comparison of arthroscopic and histologic findings in a sheep model

Abstract

<h4>Purpose</h4>An ultrathin 15,000 fiberoptic-based arthroscope was evaluated for the detection of osteoarthritic intra-articular pathologies in sheep temporomandibular joints.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Osteoarthritis was bilaterally induced in the temporomandibular joints in sheep. Twenty osteoarthritic temporomandibular joints were arthroscopically examined and rated with use of the ultrathin arthroscope. The arthroscopic observation was then compared with the histologic findings.<h4>Results</h4>The arthroscope provided excellent vision of the osteoarthritic joints. Correlation between arthroscopic and histologic findings was 80%.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The recently developed ultrathin (15,000) arthroscope was found to be a highly reliable and efficient tool to diagnose joint space pathologies of the osteoarthritic temporomandibular joint.